A

SECTION V.

HINTS

RESPECTING

VILLAGE-SOCIETY.

It was a chofen plott of fertile land,
Emongst wide hills fett, like a little neft,
As if it had by Nature's cunning hand
Bene choycely picked out from all the reft,
And laid forth for enfample of the best:
No dainty flowre or herbe that growes on grownd,
No arborett with painted bloffomes drest,

And smelling sweete, but there it might be fownd To bud out faire, and her fweete fmells throwe all arownd.

SPENSER'S Faerie Queene, voL. II. c. iv. § 12.

WERE I a rich man, I would build a village, and people it; not for the fake of fuperiority or diftinction: to felect individuals of con

genial difpofitions, as moft likely to form focial intercourfe; combine neighbourhood and friendship, thereby to enfure the reciprocal enjoyment of rational gratification; these should constitute my primary objects.

But villages and towns are already scattered over this favoured ifland, whofe inhabitants are equally diftinguifhed for liberality and philanthropy in fome inftances, however, they do not seem to have cultivated and realized the pleasures of focial intercourse, adequately to their means or acquirements. Tavern feasts may divert and exhilarate the fpirits for the moment; or gratify' appetite with indulgences, which neither promote happinefs nor health; parties cannot long continue to please and improve, where one fex only conftitutes the affemblage; it is in their united fociety, where virtuous fentiments are cultivated, intellect improved, and pleasures sweetened with all the endearments of friendship.

On the Surrey fide of the Thames, a village is fituated at equal diftances from the three bridges,

bridges, that, were as many radii to meet in a focus three miles diftant, this happy spot would be pointed out, not less distinguished for fociability, than for falubrity of air.

In this village there are few poor inhabitants, and not many overgrown fortunes; among those who may be deemed of the fuperior class, a general equality prevails, both as to exterior appearances, and mental cultivation: they chiefly confist of respectable merchants and tradesmen, and of those holding eligible fituations in public offices.

Perfons, immersed through the day in the active pursuits of commerce, too often seek for relaxation in the enjoyment of evening parties, where the glafs circulates, and drowns the cares or preffure of bufinefs. In this village, gentlemen have their evening affociations, and every quarter of the year partake together of a public dinner; but these do not preclude the entertainment of evening parties at each other's houses, of twenty to fifty in the company: these meetings commence before. July,